[tarheel1231]

Today's announcement was a bit of a surprise, mainly because we were expecting a revitalization of the original County Fair. Instead, the park announced that they would be transforming the RFD midway into a new, 1950's themed County Fair.

Not that I'm complaining. The new rides and upgrades to the midway will really push Carowinds to the next level and closer to the park's goal of becoming a destination. But the original County Fair still remains one of the most neglected areas of the park. So what are they going to do to it?

My first thought would be using the land for Carolina Harbor. But while I do see that plot of land behind Blackbeard being utilized for the water park, I don't see them removing the entire County Fair. They recently transformed Action Theater into a Plantz vs. Zombies attraction. That, and the park's media representative Chris Foshee confirmed that the attractions in that area were staying (at least for now....)

So looking over that area and wondering what theme they could implement, I think they could do a really cool Boardwalk/Seaside park theme. You've got the attractions, all you need are the theming elements. And an anchor attraction.... say, a new wooden coaster?

But I don't want this to become another wishlist thread (I'm guilty of making quite a few of those ), I want to know what everyone thinks the future holds for this section of the park. So... thoughts?

[RollerBee]

I think it will become part of the Carolina RFD section next year. SwampFox in the past has hinted at Whitewater removal and a new wooden coaster, maybe the two are connected. Didn't someone post a statilite view of the park that included Carolina Harbor?

[Jonathan]

Might as well name this the 2018 speculation thread!

The Plants vs. Zombies thing is a head scratcher for me. If they hadn't just done that I would expect that they were preparing to scrap the whole area for water park expansion. But since they just put that in I have no idea at all what they are going to do there.

[kirkgun]

I was wondering what theme (Carolinas theme of course) they could implement over in that area. First thing that popped into my head was also the Carolina Coast (seaside or whatever). Southern Star (as me and the wife call it, "the boat') is already over there. So that does make some sense.

But that just does the same thing as doubling up on the county fair sections, as the coastal theme already exists between Thrill zone and the upcoming County Fair.

That leads me to think that the old county fair area will eventually become the Blue Ridge/Smokies/Appalachia mountain theme. Nothing screams mountains more than a big boat looping high in the air. Am I right?

I am.

edit-- Does anybody else love the fact that a ride themed to an old sailing ship, bellows out a loud air horn every time the ride starts (ya know, like it was a large engine-powered ship) ?

It cracks me up every time.

[MarkD]

I've also wondered about PvZ since the announcement. That area is already a dead end for games and hardly any traffic except those passing through. It will be interesting to see how it does next year.

Southern Star and Dodgem's are easy enough to relocate but the building for PvZ would be a tad on the expensive side. So, maybe, and just maybe, we might eventually get more "Fair rides" there. Ferris wheel, Delirium, who knows.

[tarheel1231]

I just remembered something- the original County Fair has had markings all over it for months now! Surely they've got to be doing something with it!

Maybe 2018's announcement will reveal the plans for that area...

[FamousAmos]

Here is what I'm thinking.
All the new rides were originally supposed to go to the current County Fair. So likewise, they had to conduct the land survey and what they usually need to do. But then corporate probably changed their plans and moved the rides to Cobra midway instead. It is indeed possible that this probably happened. You might be surprised just how quick plans can change. Considering the permits were filed just over two weeks ago.

[carolinaman]

^That sounds logical being the Carolina Cobra area needs something also and it is probably cheaper to put them in that area on account of not having to move existing rides around (not getting into the debate about the pink slides). I know that there is more cost than just putting rides in, (theming and such). But that area is virtually empty.

[tylerSC]

Regardless of theme, I hope they put some other good flat ride in place of YoYo now that the wave swinger is coming to the new County Fair. I don't know why they ever got rid of Whirling Dervish to begin with. I still want to see a giant frisbee.

[Edwardo]

Permits for these they're of temporary flats are usually filed later since they don't need much time to assemble. I figure this is where they were always meant to go.

[carolinaman]

I went to the park yesterday and noticed some new white markings in the area. Maybe something is in the works for 2018. I'm sure they plan several years ahead and Edwardo, your probably right that the rides were supposed to go in this area but the plans changed.

[RollerBee]

New white markings in the Old County Fair? Don't they make markings for SCarowinds?



No pictures, then you didn't see it.

[kirkgun]

One thing got changed for sure, they planned on adding 5 rides. And the breakdance has gone MIA.

We've got no clue why that happened. We've got no clue if that means there was a larger change of plans when that downsizing happened. But creating 2 separate county fair sections seems bizarre, for the time being.

Until someone gets a secret surveillance cam into the offices at Cedar Fair, we'll just have to speculate endlessly. So, carry on...

[jlc9701]

Maybe they have a new ride in mind?

[KIJester]

2016....TWO wave pools
2017....TWO wave swings/swingers and TWO County Fairs

Whats the connection or pattern, if any?

I think it's fair to mention that Cedar Point does have TWO carousels and TWO Antique Cars if it's relevant, but I might be reading too much into it.